Factsheet
Developer:
Ground Control
Based in Porto, Portugal
Founding date:
September 18, 2014
Website:
gcontrolgames.com
Press / Business contact:
info@gcontrolgames.com
Social:
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Address:
Rua de Fonseca Cardoso n39
4 esq frente
4100-233, Porto
Phone:
+351 910311752
Description
Ground Control Studios is an indie game developer that is focused in creating highly immersive and unique gameplay experiences. We try to do things that were never done before, we take risks and we venture happly into uncharted territory, for us that is what being indie is all about! Our end-goal is not only to design unique games, but also to keep increasing our technical acumen to execute them.
History
Early historyGround Control was created by accomplished developers and innovators, as a vehicle for exploring new ways to tell stories, interact with digital environments and craft unique experiences. The studio started by working on PC/Console development. During that early period came new wave of VR (with the Oculus DK1 Kickstarter) and the founders fell in love with the possibilites of VR applied to gaming. So, they focused on crafting highly immersive games for VR, from racers, to narrative/sensory experiences. This period was very prolific in terms of technology development, since numerous tools, plug-ins and guidelines were created internally to facilitate VR development. The main test-bed for this was the still under-development COSMONAUT game, that originated about 90% of all technology the studio would come to successfully monetize the following years. Return Zero VR was also developed and released during that period.
After thatAfter noticing that the growth of the VR gaming market would be slower than initially expected, the studio decided to make two major shifts: first they placed COSMONAUT on-hold and focused on a new PC/Console IP called Hypergods, a shoot'em up with an unique dog-fightning/arcade feel. In parallel, several opportunities to monetize COSMONAUT's VR technology on the B2B market came along, so the studio began to actively and successfully develop or consult on corporate VR/AR projects. This approach revealed itself lucrative enough to support a focused business unit, that while using an usual game development pipeline+tools, was able to deliver solutions/software that were business-oriented.
And NowWith the financial security provided by it's lucrative B2B arm, the studio was able to focus again on game development. This return started with developing and releasing ZHED for mobile, which was a move successfull enough to motivate PC and Console ports, both are to be released on April 2020 and PC port won it's first award while being showcased in beta on 2019. The next move was to port Hypergods to Switch, which should be released during 2020 as well. Finally GCS also began working on a new IP, that is slated to have it's first iteration as a Humble Original game.
Next stepsUsing its experience developing projects and technology for the corporate world, the studio is now focusing on producing it's own games, further develop it's game-tech tools and collaborating in projects that bring technical and creative challenges.
Projects
Videos
ZHED Nintendo Switch Trailer YouTube
Hyper Gods Steam Trailer (YouTube) YouTube
Images
There are far more images available for Ground Control, but these are the ones we felt would be most useful to you. If you have specific requests, please do contact us!
Logo & Icon
Awards & Recognition
- "IndieX: Best Game of the Event - Honorable Mention" - ZHED, 2019
- "Playstation Awards: Finalist on Best Game, Most Innovative and Press Choice" - COSMONAUT, 2016
- "SINFO: Winner of the Innovation Award" - COSMONAUT, 2015
Selected Articles
- "Zhed is a challenging numerical puzzler out now on the App Store"
- Christian Valentin, Pocketgamer.com - "ZHED is one of the best puzzle games around"
- Emmy CN, Mobility Arena - "Speed Through Ground Control Studios Neon World of Return Zero VR"
- Peter Graham, VRFocus - "Portuguese Game Studios Spotlight"
- Miguel Guerra, WASD
Additional Links
Rui Guedes on Twitter
Personal Twitter for Rui Guedes (@RFLGuedes) http:.
ZHED Homepage
http:.
Hypergods Facebook Page
https:.
Hypergods Steam Page
https:.
Cosmonaut Facebook Page
https:.
Return Zero Facebook Page
https:.
Return Zero Steam Page
https:.
Team & Repeating Collaborator
Rui Guedes
Founder, Producer
Raquel Canelas
Project Manager, Environment Designer
João Vinagre
Gameplay/VFX Developer
Joana Castro
CG/Procedural Developer
Gustavo Carneiro
UI/UX Developer
André Marques
Gameplay/ Interaction Developer
Filipe Justiniano
3D Artist
Rafael Almeida
Backend Developer
Contact
Inquiries
info@gcontrolgames.com
Twitter
https://twitter.com/GControlGames
presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks